Gem setting



0. GRUBER Feb. 21, 1939.

GEM SETTING Filed March 17, 1938 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Oscar Gruber Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to gem settings. An object of the invention is to provide a gem setting for an article of'jewelry, as, for example,

a finger ring, which will permit easy releasing and changing of the gem, particularly enabling the jeweler to meet difierent tastes of his trade by a single setting with a variety of stones.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gem setting that will be particularly simple and neat in construction, and which will be free from any exterior evidence of the interchangeable character of the setting and that will be so constructed that when being worn the setting will be particularly adapted of being held in a closed position while being worn to prevent accidental releasing of the gem.

These and other features of the invention will be more particularly set forth in the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a ring fitted with the improved setting supporting a gem.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the setting in open position to permit the insertion of a gem.

Figure 3 is a view in edge elevation of a finger ring showing a gem secured in the setting.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the setting partly open for the removal of a gem, and

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the gem setting.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A represents a finger ring, and B the gem setting carried by the ring band for supporting a gem, as C. The gem setting B consists of the fixed portion 2 integrally supported in the ring band. One side 3 of the gem holding member has hinged support 4 upon the fixed portion 2 of the setting through the medium of a pintle hinged in the fixed member of the setting and supporting said hinged member.

For the purpose of holding the. hinged member of the setting in closedgripping position upon the gem there is provided the spring 5 coiled around the pintle 4 and connected at its ends to the fixed and hinged members of the setting. The members of the setting are provided with upwardly projecting prongs B which in the usual manner engage with and hold the gem within the setting, as shown.

The hinged member of the setting is formed with an outwardly projecting gripping portion 1 to be engaged by the finger whereby to turn the hinged portion into the position shown in Figure 4 opening the setting to receive or release a gem. The finger gripping portion 1 may be duplicated in design around the four sides of the setting, as shown in the drawing, so that in outward appearance the gem secured within the setting will give no indication that the setting portion of the article of jewelry is other than an ordinary construction permanently supporting a gem.

The spring hinge for the movable member of the setting is concealed within the gem receiving socket of the setting when a gem is secured therein so that the setting presents the normal exterior appearance of a fixed setting, and the contact of the under side of the fixed and hinged portions of the setting with the wearer of the article of jewelry helps to hold the setting closed,

where the article of jewelry is being worn upon a finger, as in wearing a ring, or upon the wrist, as in wearing a bracelet.

In use, the hinged section of the setting is turned to an open position, as shown in Figure 4, to permit the insertion of the gem in the setting socket underneath the prongs, or removal therefrom, permitting an easy interchanging of gems.

One of the special advantages afforded by the features of the present invention is the ability of securing a setting of this character which, while allowing the easy removal of the supporting gem, yet in external appearance presents that of a permanent gem setting.

A further important advantage is the character of support for the hinged portion of the setting which permits flush inner faces of the fixed and hinged portion of the setting being held in contact with the wearers finger, as in a ring, to assist through such contact the holding of the setting in a closed position and guarding against accidental opening of the setting and releasing of the gem.

While a finger ring is shown in the drawing, it will be evident that the invention may be used in other articles of jewelry, as bracelets, brooches, and the like.

A particular advantage of the type of invention shown is that it enables the lady customer to have with one setting a variety of different colored gems to match different colored garments through the interchangeability of the stones.

I claim:

1. In an article of jewelry, a supported pivotally connected two member gem setting, one member being fixedly supported by the article and carrying prongs for engaging one side of a supported gem, a. hinged member carrying prongs for engaging the other side of said gem, a hinge support for said member positioned on the inner side of the prongs of said member, both of said members being formed with aligning bottom walls, for the purpose set forth.

2. A structure specified in claim 1 with the hinge for the hinged member consisting of a spring controlled pintle connecting the hinged and fixed gem setting members above the aligning bottoms of said members and on the inner side of the prongs of the hinged member, for 5 the purpose set forth.

OSCAR GRUBER. 

